The 1700s-1800s brought the age of the industrial revolution, development of steam power and discovery of electricity. Many discoveries, experiments and apparatus of the time had a charm and appeal that contrasts today's apparatus.

My appreciation for unique scientific and electrical devices, the works of Tesla, Edison, Geissler and Da Vinci to name a few, would be influential in the design of a beautiful, unique lamp featuring the warmth of the old filament, Edison style, antique light globes that have become available and synonymous with the industrial age of steam and electricity.

Further, inspired by cafe lighting designs and pipe-lamps, I began to research available lighting designs, materials and electrical components that would fit within the design element of the old days of industry, steam and electricity. A particular genre that is a fusion of aesthetic design and science, inspired by the industrial revolution is "steampunk".

In research, I stumbled across a small Australian supplier located in Melbourne, Edison Light Globes Pty Ltd whom have an excellent range of high-quality parts, lamp sockets, cages, textile electrical wire and assorted fittings which then inspired the drive to further advance the project.

I had placed an order, and within a few days had arrived at my studio in Sydney.

In September 2016, I begun to conceptualise a design, although when came to physically designing the layout using 15mm (½-inch) galvanised pipe fittings, the design evolved through many iterations, changes and layouts before arriving at the final design.

I also wanted to incorporate the warmth and rustic feel of wood, with a given look akin to oil coated hardwood. A beautiful piece of yellow-box was found from a local timber furniture maker in Brookvale NSW.

A cavity was carved into the wooden base to accommodate the wiring and dimmer module, then the timber was prepared and stained with a "Walnut" and "Japan Black" stain, then final coats of satin clear varnish applied.

A friend and a fellow independent espresso machine engineer, in passing had asked if the tap is a dimmer. At the time, this was not the case. So, this concept stuck and I began to think how one would engineer a water tap into a dimmer.

Google searches yielded very little on water-valve dimmers, rather many tutorials and modifications available to convert a tap to function as a switch, including being able to purchase a complete valve-switch.

I was quickly coming to the conclusion that a water-valve dimmer control is actually a rare feature and I decided to work on "engineering" a viable solution that was not only simple, but more importantly, electrically safe.

I purchased a good-quality "smart" light dimmer module (also of an Australian design by Gerard lighting) that is suitable also for dimming of LED lamps. The next process was to remove the control potentiometer and remount it inside the valve case.

Some modification was required to the case of the valve housing to allow for correct seating of the potentiometer and allow a safety clearance for the electrical wires.

All electrical connections protected using heat-shrink insulation and Kapton tape.

The other challenge was how to interface the tap spindle to the potentiometer shaft. The interface was completed using a small length of tube that is attached to both the potentiometer shaft and the tap spindle. All wires from the potentiometer further protected by cable harness covering in the final assembly of the lamp.

The main 3-core flex also runs through the tap housing through to the base from the lamp socket.

During the entire project, first and foremost to ensure the lamp is electrically safe and wired in accordance to electrical standards.

Both the Lamp socket and the metal pipework have an earth bond connection that is connected via a common earth point and to mains earth.

Double-insulated, three-core electrical cable has been used inside the pipe-work. All other ancillary wiring to the switch and dimmer control potentiometer have been run through a protective wire harness.

Following full electrical testing for earth-bond continuity and electrical isolation, the lamp was finally tested and lit for the first time on 17th November, 2016.

To complete the design, an old pressure gauge was found on ebay, and a light coat of paint was applied to give it a texture.

Many have asked me, why not make the gauge functional, short answer is that building such a lamp can be a challenge in itself, and a working volt-Amp meter is difficult to come by that has the look and feel of the overall piece. Perhaps this is a challenge for another lamp at some point in time.

Our next lamp design proved to make for an interesting design process.

- Written by Flavio Spedalieri -

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